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Patent US5093079A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5093079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilization apparatus and related process
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-03-02
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Granted: 1992-03-03
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Expires: 2009-03-02
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments such as laryngoscope blades are provided. The apparatus includes a container body having exterior walls and interior partitions defining a plurality of chambers defining a soaking area, a scrubbing area, and a pair of rinsing chambers. The container, preferably constructed of plastic, is also formed with integrally hinged covers for the respective chambers. Flexible brush means are provided within the scrubbing chamber. A pair of injection ports are provided in the soaking area of one chamber for receiving a pair of syringes for injecting buffer and activating components of a cleaning and disinfecting solution into the soaking area. A partition extending between the soaking area and the scrubbing area of the one chamber permits the solution to pass freely therebetween. An additional cover is provided to shield the syringes. In a preferred process, a medical instrument is cleaned by the steps of at least partially filling said soaking, scrubbing and rinsing areas with water; injecting the cleaning and disinfecting solution into the soaking area; scrubbing the instrument in said scrubbing area; inserting the instrument into the soaking area for a prescribed period of time; removing said instrument from the soaking area and thereafter inserting it into a first rinsing area; and removing the instrument from the first rinsing area and inserting it in a second rinsing area.
Inventors
- 👤 Teresa L. Bakaitis
- 👤 Brian S. Bakaitis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/16; A61L2/18; A61B; A61B90/00; A61B90/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments comprising: a container body having exterior walls and substantially vertical interior partitions defining a plurality of chambers, including a first chamber having an instrument soaking area and an instrument scrubbing area, and at least one instrument rinsing chamber, wherein a first substantially vertical partition extends between said soaking and scrubbing areas, said first substantially vertical partition provided with a plurality of apertures for permitting cleaning and disinfecting solution to pass freely therebetween, and wherein instrument scrubbing means are provided in said scrubbing area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments comprising: a container body having exterior walls and substantially vertical interior partitions defining a plurality of chambers, including a first chamber having an instrument soaking area and an instrument scrubbing area, and at least one instrument rinsing chamber, wherein a first substantially vertical partition extends between said soaking and scrubbing areas, said first substantially vertical partition provided with a plurality of apertures for permitting cleaning and disinfecting solution to pass freely therebetween, and wherein instrument scrubbing means are provided in said scrubbing area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 1 wherein said container body includes at least a second rinsing chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 2 wherein lid means are provided for each of said chambers, said lid means including first and second integrally hinged covers for closing said first and second rinsing chambers, respectively, and a third integrally hinged cover for closing another chamber comprising the soaking and scrubbing areas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 1 wherein said scrubbing area is provided with brush means extending inwardly from each of four wall surfaces defining said scrubbing area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 1 wherein said container is constructed of plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments comprising: a container body having exterior walls and interior substantially vertical partitions defining a plurality of open-top chambers, said plurality of chambers including a first chamber comprising a soaking area and a scrubbing area separated by a substantially vertical internal partition having a plurality of apertures therein, and at least one rinsing chamber isolated from said first chamber and adapted to hold a rinsing fluid, said soaking area including port means for facilitating introduction of medical instrument cleaning and disinfecting solution into said soaking area of said first chamber, wherein said solution is permitted to pass into said scrubbing area from said soaking area through said internal partition, and wherein each of said plurality of chambers has a lid movable between an open position permitting insertion and removal of a medical instrument and a closed position preventing spillage of the cleaning and disinfecting solution and the rinsing fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
155 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments comprising: a container body having exterior walls and interior substantially vertical partitions defining a plurality of open-top chambers, said plurality of chambers including a first chamber comprising a soaking area and a scrubbing area separated by a substantially vertical internal partition having a plurality of apertures therein, and at least one rinsing chamber isolated from said first chamber and adapted to hold a rinsing fluid, said soaking area including port means for facilitating introduction of medical instrument cleaning and disinfecting solution into said soaking area of said first chamber, wherein said solution is permitted to pass into said scrubbing area from said soaking area through said internal partition, and wherein each of said plurality of chambers has a lid movable between an open position permitting insertion and removal of a medical instrument and a closed position preventing spillage of the cleaning and disinfecting solution and the rinsing fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 6 wherein said port means includes at least one injection port adapted to receive an injection syringe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 6 wherein said port means includes a pair of injection ports, wherein one of said ports is adapted to receive a first syringe having a first diameter, and the other of said ports is adapted to receive a second syringe having a second diameter smaller than said first diameter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 7 wherein said injection port comprises a hollow cylindrical projection provided with interior screw threads, said projection surrounding a resilient penetrable plug secured within a wall of said container body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 8 wherein each said injection port comprises a hollow cylindrical projection provided with interior screw threads, said projection surrounding a resilient penetrable plug secured within a wall of said container body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim g and further including a syringe having a barrel portion and a needle portion, said barrel portion provided with exterior screw threads for engaging said interior screw threads of said cylindrical projection.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 10 and further including a pair of syringes, each having a barrel portion and a needle portion, said barrel portion provided with exterior screw threads for engaging said interior screw threads of one of said cylindrical projections.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 12 and wherein each of said syringes is provided with compressible cap means overlying said needle portion and adapted to be penetrated by said needle portion when said syringe is fully threaded into a respective one of said injection ports.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 8 wherein a removable cover is provided to shield said injection ports and said syringes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
189 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting laryngoscope blades comprising: a container body having exterior walls and substantially vertical interior partitions defining a plurality of chambers each adapted to receive a laryngoscope blade, a first chamber comprising a soaking area and a scrubbing area, said scrubbing area provided with scrubbing means; a second chamber for a first rinsing stage and a third chamber for a second rinsing stage, said second and third chambers being isolated from said first chamber; one of said interior partitions extending between said soaking area and said scrubbing area in said first chamber having a plurality of apertures therein for permitting cleaning and disinfecting solution to pass freely between said areas; injection plug means provided in an exterior wall of said container body for facilitating introduction of cleaning and disinfecting solution into one of said soaking and scrubbing areas of said first chamber; injection port means surrounding said plug means; at least one injection syringe removably secured within said injection port means; and cover means for each of said first, second and third chambers, and for said injection port means including said at least one injection syringe.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
189 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting laryngoscope blades comprising: a container body having exterior walls and substantially vertical interior partitions defining a plurality of chambers each adapted to receive a laryngoscope blade, a first chamber comprising a soaking area and a scrubbing area, said scrubbing area provided with scrubbing means; a second chamber for a first rinsing stage and a third chamber for a second rinsing stage, said second and third chambers being isolated from said first chamber; one of said interior partitions extending between said soaking area and said scrubbing area in said first chamber having a plurality of apertures therein for permitting cleaning and disinfecting solution to pass freely between said areas; injection plug means provided in an exterior wall of said container body for facilitating introduction of cleaning and disinfecting solution into one of said soaking and scrubbing areas of said first chamber; injection port means surrounding said plug means; at least one injection syringe removably secured within said injection port means; and cover means for each of said first, second and third chambers, and for said injection port means including said at least one injection syringe.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 15 wherein said scrubbing means includes brush bristles extending from four wall surfaces defining said scrubbing area inwardly toward a center of said area.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 15 wherein said cover means includes first, second and third integrally hinged, snap-on lids for each of said first, second and third chambers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 17 wherein said cover means further includes a removable syringe cover for protecting said injection port means and said at least one injection syringe.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 15 wherein said plug means comprises a resilient self sealing member having a thinned area adapted to be penetrated by said syringe.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 15 wherein said at least one syringe includes a needle portion and wherein a compressible cap is provided for covering said needle portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 1 and further including a disposal container for carrying a plurality of said container bodies.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 6 and further including a disposal container for carrying a plurality of said container bodies.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 15 and further including a disposal container for carrying a plurality of said container bodies, said disposal container provided with a cover and a handle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 1 and further including bracket means for supporting said container body on a support surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 6 and further including bracket means for supporting said container body on a support surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 15 and further including bracket means for supporting said container body on a support surface.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of cleaning and disinfecting a laryngoscope blade comprising the steps of: (a) providing a container body having a soaking area, scrubbing area, and at least one rinsing area isolated from said soaking and scrubbing areas, said container body further having injection port means for introducing a cleaning disinfecting solution into one of said soaking and scrubbing areas; (b) at least partially filling said soaking, scrubbing and rinsing areas with water; (c) injecting said cleaning and disinfecting solution into one of said soaking and scrubbing areas; (d) scrubbing said instrument in said scrubbing area; (e) inserting said laryngoscope blade into said soaking area for a prescribed period of time; (f) removing said laryngoscope blade from said soaking area and thereafter inserting said laryngoscope blade into said at least one rinsing area; and (g) removing said laryngoscope blade from said rinsing area and thereafter drying said laryngoscope blade.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
148 words
A method of cleaning and disinfecting a laryngoscope blade comprising the steps of: (a) providing a container body having a soaking area, scrubbing area, and at least one rinsing area isolated from said soaking and scrubbing areas, said container body further having injection port means for introducing a cleaning disinfecting solution into one of said soaking and scrubbing areas; (b) at least partially filling said soaking, scrubbing and rinsing areas with water; (c) injecting said cleaning and disinfecting solution into one of said soaking and scrubbing areas; (d) scrubbing said instrument in said scrubbing area; (e) inserting said laryngoscope blade into said soaking area for a prescribed period of time; (f) removing said laryngoscope blade from said soaking area and thereafter inserting said laryngoscope blade into said at least one rinsing area; and (g) removing said laryngoscope blade from said rinsing area and thereafter drying said laryngoscope blade.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 27 wherein said container body is provided with at least two rinsing areas and wherein, after step (f), said laryngoscope blade is inserted into a second rinsing area.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 27 wherein, after step (g), said container body is placed within a disposal container adapted to hold a plurality of said container bodies.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 29 wherein, after a plurality of said container bodies have been placed within said disposal container, said disposal container is incinerated.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 27 wherein step (c) is carried out utilizing a pair of injection syringes in cooperation with said injection port means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein each syringe contains one component of said cleaning and disinfecting solution.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus for cleaning and disinfecting medical instruments according to claim 6 wherein said scrubbing area includes fixed brush elements for engaging and scrubbing the medical instrument.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-03 | 1995-09-02 | 1996-03-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-03 | 1999-09-02 | 2000-03-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-03 | 2003-09-02 | 2004-03-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |